Briefing from CPAG for Westminster Hall debate on
Government policy on refugee benefits – led by Peter Lilley MP
Wednesday 26 February 2003

Prior to February 1996 those who were seeking asylum in the UK received social security benefits and local authority housing on the basis of need. Therefore a severely disabled asylum seeker might receive a combination of disability living allowance, income support, housing benefit and possibly local authority housing. However, many asylum seekers are highly skilled, (they include doctors, nurses, teachers, academics, lawyers and trade union officials as these are often the groups that speak out in oppressive regimes).

Consequently a claim for social security benefits was often a short-term source of help until they were able to find work, thus contributing to the economy. The provision of housing benefit and other in work benefits such as child benefit and working families tax credit meant that asylum seekers could largely support themselves and more easily integrate within local communities.

Asylum seekers are no longer able to claim any social security benefits and they are not allowed to work. They therefore have no way in which they are able to support themselves or their children. They are therefore forced to rely on support under the National Asylum Support Service (NASS). However, in order to qualify for very basic accommodation and living expenses asylum seekers must agree to move to certain designated parts of the country.

We would suggest that the current system is not only inhumane but it is not cost effective. Furthermore this system of effectively forcing asylum seekers into artificial communities appears to have led to an increase in racism within the UK. The rationale behind removal of benefits has always been that this will act as a deterrent. This has been shown not to be the case, indeed recent government commissioned research shows that the reason people seek asylum in the UK has nothing to do with claiming benefits.

It is our view that:

• Asylum seekers who are able to work should be able to do so
• Social security benefits entitlement ought to arise on the basis of need rather than immigration status
• Addressing both of these factors will considerably reduce the current public and media panic about asylum seekers and will go some way to alleviate this pressure
• It is the responsibility of government and opposition parties to stem this unprecedented level of racism and xenophobia.

Pamela Fitzpatrick
Citizens Rights Office
Child Poverty Action Group

Tel. 020 7812 5221
pfitzpatrick@cpag.org.uk